The list of quarterbacks available to the Browns, now that they need one because of Jason Campbell’s concussion, is long.
A list of proven unemployed quarterbacks capable of salvaging the offense doesn’t exist, which is one reason why the Browns have gone with Campbell and Brandon Weeden as their only quarterbacks since Brian Hoyer was injured on Oct. 3.
Coach Rob Chudzinski during his news conference Monday said he has not ruled out Campbell for the game against Jacksonville on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, but he also said Weeden should expect to start. Weeden will take first-team snaps when practice for the Jaguars resumes Wednesday.
Campbell, injured when he was sacked in the third quarter in the loss to the Steelers, reported to the training complex Monday and then was sent home to rest.
Eleven quarterbacks are on NFL practice squads. Dennis Dixon from the Bills, who has been in the league five years, is the most experienced of the group. Greg McElroy from the Bengals’ practice squad has three years of experience.
Nineteen veteran quarterbacks are free agents. That group includes Tim Tebow, Charlie Batch, JaMarcus Russell, Vince Young, Caleb Hanie, Matt Leinart, David Carr, John Beck and Byron Leftwich.
Chudzinski gave no clues about who might be signed, but Tuesday is the off day for players and that is usually when players are worked out.
“We’re looking at all of those options,” Chudzinski said. “There’s a good chance that we’ll sign another guy before the game.”
Chudzinski has little choice but to go with Weeden if Campbell does not recover. Weeden is 0-4 as a starter. He won in relief of Hoyer in the Buffalo game but could not produce a miracle Sunday when he took over with the Browns trailing, 20-3. The Steelers won, 27-11.
“At the end of the day, he’s on our team and he’s done some good things this season,” Chudzinski said. “He’s our second-team quarterback, or was our second-team quarterback. We’ll see what we need to do this week. Chances are he’ll start this week and we’ll see later on in the week; we’ll make that determination and see where Jason’s at.”
Weeden was booed when he replaced Campbell. Chudzinski said he understands the fans’ frustration but believes Weeden has confidence in himself.
Players in the locker room said they are still behind Weeden.
“I can’t speak to the fans; that’s just the reaction that’s there,” linebacker Paul Kruger said Monday. “We’re out there doing what we’ve got to do regardless of how people are reacting.
“Obviously it’s something we notice, but there’s only so much thought you can put into what somebody else is doing during a game. You’re so focused on doing your job and trying to put your teammates in good positions and help out the team that it’s not something you can really dwell on. We have Brandon’s back. He’s here working hard every day. He’s a good player.”
Weeden lost one fumble and threw one interception. Cornerback William Gay, who put Campbell out of the game, returned it 21 yards for a touchdown.Where’s the flag?
Chudzinski thought Gay should have been penalized for a blow to the head on the strip sack that injured Campbell. No flag was thrown. Safety Will Allen picked up the fumble and returned 49 yards to the Browns’ 4. The Steelers scored a touchdown on the next play for a 20-3 lead.
Had a penalty been called, the Browns would have retained possession with the ball on the Pittsburgh 24. The Steelers’ lead would have still been 13-3.
Chudzinski said he will send film of the play into the league for review.
“Those are the plays in the games that are important,” Chudzinski said. “There were a number of plays, though; it wasn’t just that one that was an issue for us yesterday. Certainly, hopefully, we’ll have Jason back soon.”Count to three
Safety T.J. Ward on Sunday blamed turnovers by the offense for losing each of the last two games. On Monday, team defensive captain D’Qwell Jackson said Ward should not have called out the offense.
“I understood his frustration,” Jackson said. “Everybody was disappointed. We put a lot into these last two weeks and to come up short it affects us all, but he’s got to do a better job of controlling those emotions.
“This is the time where we don’t need any division amongst any of us. I’m sure he regrets it. We haven’t spoken personally, but he was speaking out of frustration. T.J. is a team guy. We’ve struggled in certain areas and we understand that in order to win, in order to be successful as a team, we can’t, like he mentioned, turn the ball over and we have to do better on the defensive side of the ball.
“But at the end of the day, we win as a team and we all lose as a team and that’s what’s most important, and I’m sure T.J. understands that.”
The Browns did not produce any turnovers Sunday.